Am I too old?
I'm new to the forum and haven't seen much info on age. Let me give you a quick background.
49 YOA. 2500TT Over a 1000 multi. ATP, typed, FE ticket. Air traffic controller for the last 24 years (retire next May! yee freaking hah!!!!!) Took a short vacation from the FAA several years ago and flew for Transtates out of STL (SW4 that’s how long ago it was) Flew contract on demand 135 until the FAA said it was a conflict of interest. Didn't care too much for the corporate route because of lack of a schedule. Thought I would go ahead and apply with Eagle since we live in the DFW area and get the ball rolling. Told them I wasn't available until April of 08. Got a rejection letter a week later saying I wasn't as competitive as other candidates. Now the question. Is it because I don't have a current flying job? Is my availability date too far away? Or is it because of my age? I have been offered a part time gig as a sim instructor for a major training co. here in the DFW metroplex (I worked as an instructor there several years ago) which will get me current. Will AE see this as a flying job? Even though I'm not flying being a controller I'm still in the industry and at least speaking the lingo.
I am planning on going to ORD the 16th to an AE job fair and ask some questions. Am I wasting my time and the recruiters?
I'm also hearing a lot of QOL issues with AE because they don't have enough pilots. i.e. three day trip turn into a four day trip.
I know they don't pay well and don't care because I will have a great pension. I know that upgrade time is slow and that's OK with me. I want a schedule. I also realize that I may not initially get DFW. Wife works for AA so we have flight benefits.
You may ask why I want to do this? Mostly because I can and I love the industry. Money is not the issue and that will take a lot of pressure off and let me enjoy the job. Who knows where it could lead?
Constructive criticism welcome.